Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALDAPUCK’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALDAPUCK’, particularly characterized by having purple flowers with a light lip, 1 to 2 peduncles, an inflorescence that is long and sturdy, leaves that are oblong, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALDAPUCK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘PHALDAPUCK’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 60 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivar in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 12 to 20 cm to over 60 cm. The leavesmay be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petals, called the labellum, arethree-lobed and are often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow,and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which arisefrom the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants aredetached from the mother plants and may be planted in a suitablesubstrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘PHALDAPUCK’ is particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique purple flowers with a light lip, economicalpropagation by tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimensionsuitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

‘PHALDAPUCK’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by theinventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘PHALDAPUCK’ originated from a cross made inNovember 2004 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The female parent is alight purple dotted Phalaenopsis pot plant named ‘07904-0006’(unpatented), while the male parent is a white dotted Phalaenopsis potplant named ‘03274-0002’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected inDecember 2007 and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by meristemtissue culture in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands over a 4.5-year period. Thenew variety has been found to retain its distinctive characteristicsthrough successive asexual propagations.

Asexual reproduction of ‘PHALDAPUCK’ by tissue culture was firstperformed in March 2011 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands and hasdemonstrated that the new cultivar is firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europeon Sep. 29, 2014. ‘PHALDAPUCK’ has not been made publicly available orsold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing dateof this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

-   -   1) Purple flowers with a light lip;    -   2) 1 to 2 peduncles;    -   3) Inflorescence is long and sturdy;    -   4) Shape of the leaf is oblong; and    -   5) Plants are propagated by meristem tissue culture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, budsand foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs are of a 50-week old plant grown in a greenhouse inBleiswijk, The Netherlands in July 2015.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds and foliageof ‘PHALDAPUCK’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALDAPUCK’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaves of ‘PHALDAPUCK’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALDAPUCK’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inBleiswijk, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 50-week oldplants which were planted from a nursery tray in 12 centimeter pots andgrown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continuedby a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks ina greenhouse of 21° C. Observations were made in July 2015. Colorreadings were taken under 4-6000 lux natural light in the greenhouse.Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (1995).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Phalaenopsis.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALDAPUCK’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘07904-0006’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘03274-0002’            (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time (time to produce a finished flowering plant).—48            to 50 weeks for a 12 cm pot.        -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Standard, green leaves, raceme.        -   Height (including pot, including inflorescence).—63.0 cm to            73.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—32.0 cm to 36.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green colored roots with branching            lateral roots having light green and light purple colored            root tips.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 16.0 cm            to 20.0 cm. Width: 7.5 cm to 8.5 cm. Shape: Oblong. Base            shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Unequal obtuse. Leaf            blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal            position): Between 20 degrees and 60 degrees. Leaf margin:            Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A with small edge RHS            187A. Lower surface: RHS 147B with edge RHS 187A. Texture:            Smooth. Thickness: 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm. Venation: Pattern:            Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A.            Lower surface: RHS 187A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—8 to 10.        -   Length.—54.0 cm to 59.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.2 mm to 6.5 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200A) and green (RHS 147B).        -   Internode length.—33.0 mm to 43.0 mm.        -   Callosities.—None.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 230.0 mm to            280.0 mm. Diameter: 4.2 mm to 4.5 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12 cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 71.0 mm to 76.0 mm. Diameter: 85.0 mm to            90.0 mm. Depth of lip: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 10 to 12 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 24.0 mm            to 26.0 mm. Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Purple (RHS 71A) and greyed-purple (RHS 183B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to            tip): 38.0 mm to 40.0 mm. Width: 53.0 mm to 55.0 mm. Color            (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS            78A) with a small light purple center (RHS 78D). Over color:            Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS 78A). Over            color: Purple (RHS 78B).        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Rounded symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to            42.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS 78A) and            light purple at the base (RHS 78D). Over color: Absent.            Lower surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS 78A to 78B). Over            color: Red-purple (RHS 70A).        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to            42.0 mm. Width: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purple (RHS 78A) and            dotted at the base (RHS 72A). Over color: Slightly            greyed-green towards the base (RHS 195B). Lower surface:            Basic color: Purple (RHS 78A to 78B). Over color:            Greyed-green (RHS 195B).        -   Labellum (lip).—Margin: Entire. Whiskers: Present. Length of            whiskers: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Light            purple (RHS 78C to 78D) with yellow tips (RHS 4C).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Length (from base to tip): 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm. Width: 16.0            mm to 18.0 mm. Color: Light purple (RHS 76C) with purple            edge (RHS 78B) and greyed-red (RHS 178A and 185C); with            touch of yellow (RHS 9A) and dark stripes at the base (RHS            187B).        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Length (from base to tip):            20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Color: Mix of            white (RHS 155C) and light purple (RHS 78B to 78C) and            greyed-red-purple at the base (RHS 178A and 185A) with a            touch of yellow (RHS 8A).        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm.            Length: 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm. Width: 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm. Color:            Yellow (RHS 12A) dotted (RHS 187B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present.        -   Column.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 5.6 mm to            5.9 mm. Color: Purple (RHS 78B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Size: 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm. Color: Orange            (RHS 26A).        -   Ovary.—Part of the pedicel with small ribs towards the            column. Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.7 mm to 2.9            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 36.0 mm to 38 0 mm. Diameter: 3.1 mm to            3.4 mm. Color: Mix of dark green (RHS 147B) and dark            greyed-purple (RHS 187B) from the inflorescence; towards the            flower light purple (RHS 75A and 75D).-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of 15° C. and a    high temperature of about 30° C.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘PHALDAPUCK’ differs from female parent plant ‘07904-0006’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALDAPUCK’ has an apical lobe of the lip that is even andflowers that are not dotted, whereas ‘07904-0006’ has an apical lobe ofthe lip that is dotted and flowers that are dotted. Additionally,‘PHALDAPUCK’ has a darker colored flower than ‘07904-0006’.

‘PHALDAPUCK’ differs from male parent plant ‘03274-0002’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALDAPUCK’ has a purple flower bud and flowers that are purpleand not dotted, whereas ‘03274-0002’ has a green flower bud and flowersthat are white and dotted.

‘PHALDAPUCK’ differs from commercial variety ‘PHALCOMWOM’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALDAPUCK’ has petals that are even and whiskers that arelight purple with yellow tips, whereas ‘PHALCOMWOM’ has petals that arepartially dotted at the base and whiskers that are white. Additionally,‘PHALDAPUCK’ has shorter whiskers than ‘PHALCOMWOM’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALDAPUCK’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.